Message from the Dean
Stephen Vogel

The Nautilus, Summer
2003

Stephen Vogel, M.Arch, FAIA

teaches design and the Degree Project
Seminar. He is a licensed architect with extensive experience in urban
design, adaptive reuse, historic rehabilitation and multi-family, mixed
housing communities, and is a principal and partner in his firm. He is
past president of the American Institute of Architects, Detroit Chapter
and Michigan Chapter. He was inducted into the College of Fellows of the
AIA in 1994 and received the AIA Detroit Gold Medal in 1996, among other
awards. He holds B.Arch and M.Arch degrees from the University of Detroit.

Greetings Alumni!

A new academic semester has begun, and good news continues
to come to the School of Architecture. As noted in this issue of the Nautilus,
we received notification in July that our professional degree will be
fully accredited for six years without any restrictions or focus visits
required. This allows us to complete the transition to the Masterís of
Architecture degree over the next several years. It was gratifying to
hear the positive reactions from the Visiting Team and to read the team
report. The report validates the hard work the faculty and students have
done to continue to make this an outstanding program.

The news about accreditation was preceded in June by the announcement
that the SOA has won the first NCARB prize for $25,000. This prize recognizes
the work of the Design Center and the SOAís focus on partnering with the
profession. Response to the prize announcement has brought recognition
and acclaim from all over the country. As alumni, you should be proud
that your School received this distinction and stood out as a small, private,
urban school competing against large state universities.

This acclaim has led to numerous speaking engagements on the national
forum. Associate Professor Dan Pitera will be a keynote speaker at the
national AIAS convention. Associate Dean Steve LaGrassa will present the
Design Center at the ACSA national architecture deanís meeting in San
Diego. Last summer, I presented the School and its approach to urban issues
to the national ACSA Teacherís Conference.

Finally, Warren Loranger (í51) has made another gift to the School that
will complete the first floor renovations. We are now finalizing the work
from his previous gift. Since the completion of much of the infrastructure
in the building, the renovation work is becoming more visible. Alumni
visiting the School have made many positive comments about its dramatically
different appearance. Watch the web
site for updates on construction and design of succeeding phases.

We are wrapping up The Legacy Campaign and wish to finalize pledges before
the end of the year. Please support the Alumni Council Scholarship Fund
with a gift that can, if you desire, be a multi-year pledge. See the related
announcement in this Nautilus. There are still naming opportunities
available as part of the renovation program at the School. If you have
interest in this aspect of the campaign, please contact me at vogelsp@udmercy.edu.